Key-action for type-writing or other machines.



No. 781,162. PATENTED JAN. 31, 1905.

J. T. SCHAAFF. KEY ACTION FOR TYPE WRITING OR OTHER MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No. 781,162. v 'PATENTED JAN. 31, 1905.

' J-. T. SGHAAFP. KEY ACTION FOR TYPE WRITING OR OTHER MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1903.

4 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. W 5; i3

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N0. 781,162. I PATENTED JAN. 31, 1905.

J. T. SOHAAPF.

KEY ACTION FOR TYPE WRITING OR OTHER MACHINES. AIPILIOATION rum) APR. 29, 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented January 31, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

KEY-ACTION FOR TYPE-WRITING OR OTHER MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,162, dated. January 31, 1905.

Application filed April 29, 1903. Serial No. 154,807.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN T. SCHAAFF, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at VVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key Actions for Type-WVriting or other Machines, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the figures of reference marked thereon. 7

My invention relates to key-actions for typewriting and other key -operated machines, and has for its purpose to provide a construction which will permit the type-bar or other operated part actuated by the depression of a key to return to normal position immediately upon the completion of the movement effected by the depression of the key and independently of the return of the key to normal position, so that a second key may be depressed to actuate its type-bar or other operated part before the first key has been released or has returned to normal position, without the possibility of' its type-bar or other operated part interfering with the type-bar or other operated part actuated by the key first struck. In other words, it is the purpose of my invention to provide a construction capable of operating with the legato touch like a pianoforte, one key being struck before a key previously struck has returned to normal position.

The advantages of such a construction will be apparent from the fact that in the type writing machines of the pivoted-type bar class, as generally used, one finger-key must be allowed to return to normal position before its type-bar can return to its normal position, so as to be out of the way of the typebar controlled by a second key. In order to permit of this return of the key first struck, the hand of the operator must be lifted quickly, requiring an exercise of muscular force hardly less than the force expended in depressing the key, and by dispensing with the necessity for lifting the hand quickly the work of the operator is materially lightened and it is,further, made possible for the operator to use all of the fingers in operating the machine, just as would be done in playing a piano. What is true of type-writing machines of the pivotedtype-bar class is true also of those in which the type-bar has a thrust or rectilinear movement, and in machines of the type-wheel or type-segment class the same necessity for a quick withdrawal of the hand of the operator exists, and in such machines a construction which permits a second key to be struck and to effect the shifting of the type-segment or type-wheel and the printing of its letter or other character without the release of the key first struck gives added speed and materially lessens the work of the operator.

WVith the above purpose in view myinvention consists in the construction hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1, 2, and 3 show a key-action for machines in which the type-bar has a thrust or rectilinear movement, Fig. 1 showing the parts in normal position, Fig. 2 showing the parts at the instant thetype-bar is at the limit of its movement, and Fig. 3 showing the parts after the locking device has been disengaged and the auxiliary lever has returned to normal position. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail viewsshowing a guard for the end of the locking device. Figs. 6 and 7 show the invention applied to the key-action of a type-writing machine of the type-wheel or type-segment class, Fig. 6 showing the parts in normal position and Fig. 7 showing the parts in the position they assume after the locking device has been disengaged and the auxiliary lever has returned to normal position. Figs. 8 and 9 are views similar, respectively, to Figs. 6 and 7, showing the invention applied to the key-action of a machine of the pivoted-type-bar class. Figs. 10 and 11 are views similar, respectively, to Figs. 8 and 9, showinga modified form of the invention as applied to the key-action of machines of the pivoted-type-ba'r class; and Fig. 12 shows a modified form of the invention applied to the key-action of machines in which the type-bar has a thrust or rectilinear movement.

Referringto the drawings Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, in which my invention is shown in connection with the means for operating the type-bars of a type-writing machine in which the type-bars have a thrust or rectilinear movement, 1 indicates a portion of the frame of the machine. 2 is the platen. 3 is the typebar guided in ways 4. 5 is the finger-key carried by a key-lever 6, pivoted on a rod 7 and having a rearwardly-extending nose 8, against the upper face of which presses a spring 9. The key-lever is also provided with aprojection 10, extending upward in position to contact with a stop 11 when the key is in normal position. Pivotally connected with the key-lever 6, as by being pivoted at its forward end on the rod 7, is the auxiliary lever 12, having near its pivotanose 13, against the upper face of which presses a spring 14. Near its rear end the auxiliary lever 12 is provided with a pin 15, which plays in a slot 16 in the arm 17 of a bell-crank lever 18, pivoted at 19. The arm 20 of the bell-crank lever is provided with a pin 21, which plays in a slot 22 in the typebar 3. Pivoted to the auxiliary lever 12 is a locking device 23, having at its forward end a shoulder 24, adapted to engage a pin or other lateral projection 25 on the key-lever 6. A spring 26, connected at one end to the auxiliary lever 12 and at the other end to the locking device 23, holds the shoulder 24 normally in engagement with the pin or projection 25. So long as the shoulder 24 of the locking-piece rests against the pin or projection 25 it will be clear that the locking-piece serves to so connect the key-lever and the auxiliary lever that the downward movement of the fingerkey is transmitted to the auxiliary lever to effect movement of the type-bar precisely as if the key-lever proper and the auxiliary lever were in one piece. The key-lever 6 may, if preferred, be provided with a loop 26 to receive and guide the end of the locking device 23, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. A stop 27, preferably extending across the machine, is provided for causing the levers to be disconnected at the proper time. This stop is so located that it will be struck by the lower edge of the locking device 23 just before the key-lever 6 reaches the limit of its downward movement. This stop 27 is preferably formed with a face 28 in the path of movement of the key-lever 6 and a face 29 in the path of movement of the connecting-piece 23.

In operation as the key 5 is depressed the pin 25, acting against the shoulder 24 of the locking device 23, causes the rear end of the auxiliary lever to be moved rearward and upward and through the pin 15, acting in the arm 17 of the bell-crank lever, causes the typebar 3 to be actuated. As the key-lever nears the limit of its downward movement the connecting-piece 23 strikes the face 29 of the stop 27 and is stopped from further movement. This takes place just as the auxiliary lever is about to complete the movement necessary to cause the type-bar to strike the platen. The further movement of the key-lever effects the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever and carries the pin 25 out of engage ment with the shoulder 24, so that the auxiliary lever 12 is free to return to normal position independent of the key-lever 6. The return of the auxiliary lever 12 to normal position is effected by the spring, and in its return to normal position it necessarily returns the bell-cran k lever 18 and the type-bar 3 to their normal position. The downward movement of the key-lever is finally arrested by the face 28 of the stop 27. As soon as the locking device is disengaged from the pin 25 thetypebar 3 is free to return to normal position irrespective of the movement of the key-lever 6. I/Vhether the key is released or held depressed, the type-bar having been returned to normal position, another key may be struck to actuate its type-bar without the possibility of interference from the type-bar first struck.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown my invention applied to a key-lever adapted for use in a type-wheel or type-segment machine. In the construction shown in these figures the key-lever 6 is straight for the main portion of its length and the auxiliary lever 12 has a straight rear portion 12 arranged when in normal position substantially in line with the straight portion of the key-lever 6 and by which is actuated the mechanism for shifting the key-wheel or segment and causing the proper letter or other character to be printed. The rear end of the key-lever 6 and the forward end of the auxiliary lever 12 is bent upward at an angle, as shown, the ends of the upwardly-inclined portions of the two levers being pivotally connected at 30. The upwardly-bent end of the auxiliary lever 12 is notched on its under edge at 31 directly below the pivot 30 to receive a knife-edge 32 supported on the frame of the machine. The upwardly-bent ends of the levers 6 and 12 are provided directly above the pivot 30 with stops 33 and 34 as shown, so that the joint formed between the levers is flexible in one direction only. Aspring 35, bearingat one end against a nose 36, formed on the key-lever 6, and at the other end bearing against a fixed part of the frame of the machine, holds the finger-key 5 normally in elevated position. The locking device 23 is pivoted at its rear end to the auxiliary lever 12 and has its shoulder 24 normally in engagement with the pin or projection 25 on the key-lever 6. When the locking device is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 6, the key-lever 6 and auxiliary lever 12 form, in effect, a single lever having its fulcrum on the knife-edge 32 and continues to act as a single lever until the finger-key has been depressed to nearly the limit of its stroke. As the finger-key approaches the limit of its downward movement the connecting-piece 23 strikes the surface 29 of the stop 27, and as the key continues to move downward the shoulder 24 of the locking device is disengaged from the pin or projection 25 and the auxiliary lever 12,

having completed the movement necessary to effect the printing of a letter or other character, is permitted to return to normal position independently of the finger-key. On the release of the key, which is finally stopped in its downward movement by the face 28 of the stop 27, it is returned to normal position by the spring 35. On the return of the key to normal position the end of the locking device 23 drops into position with its shoulder against the pin or projection 25.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown my invention applied to a key-lever of the form commonly used in type-writing machines having pivoted key-levers. In these figures, as in Figs. 6 and 7, the key-lever 6 and auxiliary lever'12 are provided with upwardly-bent ends pivotally connected at 30, the levers being also provided with stops 33 and 34. The spring 35 in this form of the invention instead of having its rear end bearing against a portionof the frame of the machine, as in Figs. 6 and 7, has its rear end bearing against a nose 37, formed on the auxiliary lever 12, its front end bearing against the nose 36 of the key-lever 6. The locking-piece 23, pivoted to the auxiliary lever 12, is substantially the same in construction and operation as in Figs; 6 and 7, having the shoulder 24 normally engaging the pin or projection 25 on the key-lever 6. The stop 27 is arranged as and performs the same functions as in the constructions shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The auxiliary lever-l2 in this construction is notched at its rear end to engage the pivot 38. A spring 39 bears against the under side of the auxiliary lever to restore it to position after it has'been depressed. The usual pivoted link 40 is connected to the auxiliary lever near its forward end, and to this link is secured the rod 41, by which the pivoted type-bar is operated in the usual manner. In operation this form of the invention is substantially the same as in the forms abovedescribed. The disconnection of the two levers, effected as depression of the key is continued after the locking-piece 23 strikes the stop 27, permits the auxiliary lever and type-bar to be restored to normal position independently of the key.

In Figs. 10 and 11 a modified form of the invention as applied to pivoted type-bar machines is shown. In this form of the invention 1 dispense with the upwardly-bent portions of the key-lever and auxiliary lever, pivoting the two levers together at 30, preferably near the point at which the link 40 is connected to the auxiliary lever, the forward end of the auxiliary lever extending forward alongside of the key'lever proper, as shown, and terminating in a nose 42. The lockingpiece is pivoted to the key-lever proper instead of to the auxiliary lever, as in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive. The locking-piece is in the form of a latch 43, having a shoulder 44 normally engaging the upper face of the nose 42 and having a tailpiece extending below the lower edge of the key-lever, as shown, and provided with a notch 45, in which is received the end of a light spring 46, which when the parts are in ranged to bear against both levers at a point forward of the point 30 and to hold both levers normally in elevated position. This spring also serves, as hereinafter described, to return both levers, either successively or simultaneously, to normal position after the key-lever has been depressed. A stop limits the upward movement of the key-lever and auxiliary lever. A stop 51- may be provided on the key lever to limit the forward movement of the upper end of the latch.

In the operation of the construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11 as the finger-key is depressed it will carry down with it the auxiliary lever by reason of the engagement of the latch 43 with the nose 42. As the upper face of the notch 45 of the tailpiece 45 of the latch engages the spring 46 the spring by its pressure on this face of the notch tends to throw the shoulder 44 out of engagement with the nose 45. The spring 46, however, is not of sufficient strength to effect this disengagement at once; but as the keylever 6 strikes the stop 47 the momentum of the auxiliary levers and the parts operated by itdepresses the nose 42 sufiiciently to relieve the strain on the latch and permit the spring 46, which is at the moment fully compressed, to

cause the disengagement of the latch from the nose 45 and allow the auxiliary lever to be returned to normal position by the spring 39, aided by the weight of the type bar and connected parts. WVhen the auxiliary lever is thus disengaged, the key being still held depressed, the spring 39 does not bear directly againstthe auxiliary lever, but bearing against the lever 6 exerts an upward pressure upon the auxiliary lever through the pivotal connection 30, the lever 6 for the moment having its fulcrum on the stop 47. On the release of the key the spring 39 lifts the key-lever into normal position, and the spring 46, now engaging the lower face of the notch 45, throws the shoulder 44 of the latch into engagement with the nose 42.

In Fig. 12 I have shown a modified form of the invention as applied to machinesin which the type-bar is given a thrust or rectilinear movement. In the construction shown in the figure the arrangement of the several parts is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, except that the auxiliary lever 12 is here pivoted directly to a rearward extension of the key-lever 6 and the locking device is of different form. By pivoting the auxiliary lever 12 directly to the key-lever the spring 14 may be dispensed, with a coiled spring 52, bearing at one end against the under face of the nose 8 on the key-lever 6 and at its other end bearing against the upper face of the nose 13 on the auxiliary lever 12, serving to return the auxiliary lever to normal position. The auxiliary lever is provided with a forwardlyextending nose 53, having a shoulder 54 near its end. The locking-piece 2 1 is pivoted to the key-lever 6 and has at its free end a guardloop 55, which receives the end of the nose 53 and when in normal position bears against the shoulder 54. The opening in the guardloop 55 is of such extent that when lifted out of engagement with the shoulder 54: the nose 53 will pass freely through it. A spring 56 is provided for lifting the end of the lockingpiece, the end of the spring being arranged in the path of the locking-piece when the latter is carried downward by the depression of the key. The spring is not of sufficient strength to cause the disengagement of the lockingdevice until the key-lever has nearly completed its stroke, when the momentum of the auxiliary lever at the instant the type-bar strikes the platen relieves slightly the pressure between the guard-loop 55 and the shoulder 54, permitting the spring, which is at this instant fullycompressed, to lift the end of the lockingpiece, and thus disengage the lockingpiece, the guard-loop sliding over the shoulder 5 1. The auxiliary lever is thus permitted to return to normal position under the influence of the spring 52 independently of the key-lever. The downward movement of the key-lever is finally arrested by the stop 17.

It will be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details of construction shown, as many changes in details can evidently be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be understood that while my invention is shown in connection with key-actions particularly adapted for use in type-writing machines of various classes it is also capable of use in other key-controlled machines-such, for instance, as type-setting, type-casting, and linotype machines, as well as pianofortes.

While I have described the disengagement of the locking device as taking place on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever, it should be understood that I do not intend to be limited to a construction in which the disengagement takes place at the precise instant of the completion of this movement. The auxiliary lever must necessarily be caused to complete its stroke by the depression of the key. The actual completion of the stroke is due more to the momentum acquired by the auxiliary lever and the parts actuated by it than to the direct force exerted at the instant by the key-lever. The disengagement of the locking device takes place at about the time the auxiliary lever is completing its stroke, but whether at the precise instant of such completion or not is difficult to determine with certainty.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever. an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device normally connecting the two levers so that depression of the keylever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever and yielding means for moving the locking device to disconnect the two levers on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever; substantially as described.

2. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device normally connecting the two levers so that depression of the keylever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever, yielding means for moving the locking device to disconnect the two .levers on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever and means for restoring the auxiliary lever to normal position independently of the key-lever; substantially as described.

3. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device normally connecting the two levers so that the depression of the key-lever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever, yielding means for moving the locking device to disconnect the two levers on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever, means for restoring the auxiliary lever to normal position independently of the key-lever and means for restoring the key-levers to normal position; substantially as described.

1. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device normally connecting the two levers so that depression of the keylever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever and a yielding stop in the path of movement of the looking device so located as to eflect a movement of the locking device to disconnect the two levers on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever; substantially as described.

5. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device normally connecting the two levers so that depression of the keylever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever and a yield' ing stop in the path of movement of the looking device so located as to effect a movement of the locking device to disconnect the two levers on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever; substantially as described.

6. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of akey-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device normally connecting the two levers so that depression of the keylever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever, a yielding stop in the path of movement of the locking device so located as to effect a movement of the locking device to disconnect the two levers on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever, and means for restoring the auxiliary lever to normal position independently of the key-lever; substantially as described.

7. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device normally connecting the two levers so that depression of the keylever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever, a yielding stop in the path of movement of' the locking device so located as to etl'ect a movement of the locking device to disconnect the two levers on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever, means for restoring the auxiliary lever to normal position independently of the key-lever, and means for restoring the key-lever to normal position; substantially as described.

8. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device pivoted to one of said levers and having its free end normally in engagement with the other of said levers to connect the two levers so that depression of the key-lever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever, and yielding means for turning the locking device on its pivot to disengage its free end to disconnect the two levers on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever; substantially as described.

9. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device pivoted to one of said levers and having its free end normally in engagement with the other of said levers to connect the two levers so that the depression of the key-lever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever, and a yielding stop in the path of movement of the locking device so located as to effect the disengagement of the free end of the locking device on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever; substantially as described.

10. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the keylever, a locking device pivoted to one of said levers and having its free end normally in engagement with the other of said levers to connect the two levers so that the depression of the key-lever acts through the locking device to effect movement of the auxiliary lever, and a yielding stop in the path of movement of the locking device so located-as to effect the disengagement of the free end of the locking device on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever; substantially as described.

11. In a key-action for key-operated machines, the combination of a key-lever having a pin or projection, an auxiliary lever pivotally connected with the key-lever, a locking device pivotally connected to the auxiliary lever and having its free end normally in engagement with the pin or projection on the key-lever so that depression of the key-lever acts through the locking device to efiect movement of the auxiliary lever, and yielding means for disengaging the f'ree end of the locking device from the pin or'projection on the completion of the movement of the auxiliary lever; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN T. SCHAAFF. Witnesses:

A. L. HOUGH, A. P. GREELEY. 

